My mom has been set on throwing me a surprise baby shower and I am 99% sure I have figured out when it is. Every couple months, I go to a poor, rural area of Appalachia (about 7 hours away) to help out a school there. I planned on going back mid-May and told my mom about it in passing yesterday. When I told her, she got really weird and tried to talk me out of it in case I went into early labor or something.

Then, later on that night, I got a FB message from my aunt saying that they were throwing a surprise 25th anniversary party for my other aunt and uncle on the SAME DAY I planned on leaving for Appalachia. In the message, she said she wasn't sending out invites but was just letting everyone know via FB and by phone. However, the message was directed towards me and no one else was included (you would think it would be a mass message if it were truly an invite).

Anyway, I can cancel my trip without issue. I am pretty sure it is a shower for me though. My question is, do I still buy an anniversary gift for my aunt/uncle?! What if it really is their party? Or if I show up empty handed, it will look like I knew (which would hurt my mom) or that I am a brat who goes to a party empty handed!

If I do get something, what should I get? I've never been to a 25th wedding anniversary party before!